Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:38:46 -0500
From: Michael Johns
Subject: Gay Boybands : The Way You Do 2
The legal stuff: This is a sexually explicit story (at times) involving
homosexuality. By continuing to read, you affirm under penalties of
perjury that you are not a minor or in the company of a minor and are
entitled to have access to sexually explicit material. The content and
opinions expressed in this story do not imply anything with regard to the
sexual preference of any member of 98 Degrees or other celebrities named
herein. This is a work of fiction entirely.
Author notes: Sorry about not posting in a while. I just got the
second chapter back from my beta. I really appreaciate the support
that a few fans have gave me. I still would like more support and
really want to know what you think good or bad. So until then on with
the next chapter.
Chapter 2
Michael was still nervous about what Leah had told her friends about
him, but once he got into the car and relaxed, he popped one of his
favorite music groups into the CD player. Michael had been an avid fan
of 98 degrees since high school when some of his friends played some
songs for him. Leaning over, Michael turned up the volume when his
favorite song, "My Everything", played.
Michael had always told Leah that one day if they have a concert in
the town he lived in, he would go to their concert and try to out
scream all the other fans. Lost in his thoughts, Michael started
singing along with the music, while Leah kept looking over at Michael.
She smiled as she listened to him sing throughout the rest of the
drive to the restaurant.
"Hey Leah, you never told me where we were going for breakfast when
you grabbed my car keys and rushed out the door. So are you going to
tell me?" Michael asked.
"Well, we are going to take liberty of using our employee discount and
eat at the restaurant at the hotel, since that is where my friends are
staying, and no I didn't plan that, their travel agent did. So even if
we have to work, we will get to see them everyday," Leah said with a
giggle.
"Well, if I'm supposed to get to know your friends as well as they
know me, then I guess that is a good idea. So, am I going to at least
get a little bit of info out you about them, or are you going to make
me suffer till we get to the hotel?" Michael asked with a smirk.
"Make you suffer of course. Why would I tell you anything when you are
about to meet them and ask all the questions about them that you want.
I know you are still nervous about what I told them, but don't be. If
they didn't want to get to know you then why would they ask if you
were coming with me for breakfast?" Leah said.
"They asked if I was coming with you for breakfast?" Michael asked in amazement.
"Yeah, they did and I told them yes, you were and mentioned that today
was your birthday. They were really shocked to find out that it was
your birthday. You should expect them to either take us out for dinner
or buy you something if not both," she said.
"Oh, great here it comes. They probably thought that I told you to
tell them that and now they think that I'm a total greedy asshole
hitting them up for cash and that I'm doing the same thing to you as
I'm doing to them," Michael said all in one breath. Leah immediately
pulled the car over and put it in park. After she did that, she glared
at Michael and he felt as if her eyes were piercing daggers into his
heart.
"Now you stop that. I told them that so they could make this the most
extraordinary birthday you have ever had; and if they think that about
you after I told them that you were one of the kindest guys I have
ever met, then they were never friends to begin with. So just stop
thinking that my friends will hate you and just enjoy the time that we
have with them!" Leah shouted.
Michael couldn't believe what just happened. He knew that Leah rarely
shouted at anyone and she only shouts when she is trying to make a
point. "Leah, I'm so sorry that you had to yell at me. You know that
it is hard for me to admit to myself that other people like me for who
I am," Michael whispered.
"It's okay," she spoke calmly, "I know that it's hard for you to admit
that other people might like you for who you are, instead of the money
your family has, but I swear that I didn't tell them who your family
is. I doubt that they have even heard of them."
"I know but ever since high school, I've had to watch which people I
made friends with. That's why I'm so scared that they might think
awful things about me," Michael spoke with a shiver.
"Don't worry, they'll totally love you, and you'll love them, but you
should be prepared for them to ask questions about your past. I won't
tell them anything anyway. They will want you to tell them yourself,"
she said with joy and fear mixed.
"Alright, I understand. So what if they want to get to know the real
me, I just want your friends to like me as much as you do," Michael
said.
"Good, now let's go meet them, get some food, and get ready for the
time of our lives," Leah shouted happily.
*********** The Four Seasons hotel; Half an hour earlier********
Drew and the gang had just checked into the hotel and were heading up
to their suite. Drew was still trying to sort out why he was feeling
having all of these feelings for someone he hadn't even met yet. Jeff
noticed that Drew was struggling with the fact that he was about to
meet the man who has been Leah's best friend ever since she moved far
away from him. All Jeff could do in front of Nick was put a supportive
hand on Drew's shoulder. Drew turned his head and smiled at Jeff.
"You ready to meet him, Drew?" Jeff asked with a bit of concern.
"I'm ready as I'll ever be i guess. It's just...," Drew started.
"You wonder how Michael feels about you ending your and Leah's
engagement. The only thing I can say about that is just pray and hope
for the best but knowing Leah, she probably told him and said that
more she thinks about it, it was for the best and she knows that she
will love you forever and not to do anything real drastic," Jeff said.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I've just got to hope for the best and
take any sort of verbal abuse that he gives me," Drew joked.
"You really shouldn't worry about it, Sprout. If what Leah says is
true, Michael probably forgave you and forgot all about it. Let's just
hope he doesn't decide to be a part of one of Leah's evil schemes,"
Nick laughed. That got a groan and a laugh from the rest of the group.
"Well, it's getting close to the time for us to go down to the
restaurant and meet the guy, so if you guys don't mind, Drew and I
will be seeing you later," Jeff announced while pulling Drew out the
door. Once they were far from the room, Jeff turned around and looked
at Drew.
"So are you really ready to meet Michael or are you trying to put a
brave face on?" Jeff asked.
"You want the truth?" Drew asked.
"Of course, I want the truth, Sprout. I can tell you have a lot on
your mind and I'm wondering if you meeting Michael is putting a strain
on you that maybe you should wait until you have your mind clear,"
Jeff said.
"Jeff, I understand that you are worried about me but the truth is
that meeting Michael is what I have on my mind. I want to make a good
impression on him and help him understand that he can trust me or any
of us with anything. Look, what Leah did last year, she pretty much
outed Michael to us without talking to him about it. If you think I'm
bad right now, think how bad he is," Drew said. Jeff hadn't really
thought how Michael was doing but now that he thought about it, Drew
was right.
"Yeah, you're right Drew. Sorry if I was being a pain again. You know
you always have me in your corner and now Michael does too," Jeff
exclaimed while putting an arm around him. "Now let's go meet him."
*********Half an hour later*******
"See, you got here in one piece, Michael. I don't see the problem with
my driving," Leah said.
"You would see the problem if you were sitting in the passenger seat
with yourself driving!" Michael exclaimed.
"Shut up! Do you really want all these people to see us fighting? You
are so loud when you get into one of your moods," Leah joked.
"Alright, enough joking around. Are we supposed to get the table and
wait for them or the other way around?" Michael asked.
"We are going to wait right here for them and when we meet them, you
have to promise that you will not freak out in anyway, shape or form,"
Leah said sternly.
"Why would I freak out? It's not as if its like your friends are
celebrities or something like that," Michael joked, but Leah wasn't
laughing.
"Just promise that you won't freak out, okay?" she said faintly.
"Alright, I promise that I won't freak out in anyway, shape, or form.
I wouldn't have to make this promise if you had told me who they were
to begin with. I mean if they were celebrities, you could have made me
swear on my life," Michael said.
"I know if I told you anything, there wouldn't be any fun for me to
see your suffering and give you the biggest surprise of your life,"
Leah giggled, "Why don't you turn around and see your surprise."
"Alright, I will but this conversation isn't over Missy," Michael said
as he turned around. When he turned around and saw who was approaching
them, his jaw fell to the floor. He could not believe who he saw
coming out of the elevator and heading straight for them. Drew Lachey
and Jeffery Timmons were at the hotel that he worked at and were
walking towards Leah and himself.
"Leah it's so good to see you again and this must be the nicest,
greatest guy in the world that you told us so much about," Jeff said
as he grabbed Leah in a hug.
"Well, you got most of it Sugar. You forgot, also, the cutest guy in
the world and yes that's him. Michael, I want you to meet Jeff
Timmons, aka Sugar," Leah said with a smile on her face.
"Uh....hi, nice to meet you Jeff," Michael stumbled over his words.
"Hey, don't be so nervous, dude. Just chill and everything will be
great," Jeff said with a smile, "This little man, here, happens to be
Drew Lachey, aka Sprout," Once Jeff said the name Sprout, Michael's
mind raced back to earlier that morning and the phone call.
"Hi, it's nice to finally meet you Michael," Drew barely whispered.
" ..." Michael was awestruck, he couldn't speak. He heard the sexist
voice in the world come from the sexist man alive to him. It was a
little too much for him to take and he fainted.
"So much for him saying that he wouldn't freak out," Michael heard
Leah say above him.
"Well, it could have been avoided if you told him about us Leah," Drew exclaimed
"Hey, will everyone just stop yelling it's not really helping Michael
with all this commotion," Jeff snapped at the pair. Michael decided to
chime in at that moment.
"I don't know Jeff. I think that their arguing is in their natural
habitat, don't you think?" Michael joked. Everyone looked down at him
to see that Michael was wide awake and grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Jeff was rolling on the floor with laughter. He couldn't believe that
Michael had stumble on the fact that Leah and Drew liked to argue.
"Way to go, Michael," Jeff hollered.
"Why you, Oh, I can't believe that you said that I should kick your
ass for that but I can forgive you for the fact that you fainted,"
Leah said.
"I can't either but he did say it at the right moment," Drew said
trying to hold back his laughter. He couldn't hold it back any more
and Leah was right there along with him.
"Okay, now that the hyenas have finished their little ritual, can we
please go get something to eat?" Michael asked as he got up off the
floor.
"Okay, sure, but I should warn you, Drew and I can eat a lot," Jeff
said as he swung an arm around Michael. Michael still couldn't believe
Leah knew 98 degrees and told them everything about him. Even when
they enter the restaurant and were seated at the table, Michael was in
a daze.
While they were eating, Michael asked Jeff and Drew all about
themselves and their life on the road. Jeff and Drew couldn't believe
that Michael was asking so many questions about themselves. It was
like Leah had forgot to mention anything about them as a friend, but
they answered all of his questions and asked him questions about
himself that they didn't know.
"So after that great breakfast, what would you like to do, guys?" Leah
asked while wiggling her eyebrows at Michael.
"Well, I think Jeff and Drew should decide since they are here for
only a few weeks," Michael stated calmly. Jeff turned to Drew and
started to whisper in his ear. Michael and Leah got a little worried
about what they were planning when they saw Drew get a big smile on
his face.
Drew shook his head yes while Jeff turned to look at Michael and Leah.
"Well, since its Michael's birthday, we thought it would be a good
idea that Leah and I go get him a gift, while Drew and Michael go see
a movie or something for at least an hour. Then we will switch while
Drew go finds you a gift. Of course, Leah will be holding onto the
gift, so you won't know what we are getting you," Jeff exclaimed.
"What about Nick and Justin? Who is going to tell them where to meet
us and to get Michael a gift?" Leah asked.
"Who said that I needed a gift from all of the members of my favorite
group, Leah? I'm just glad that I'm spending the day with them. That's
the greatest gift I could ever have," Michael said a little too
loudly.
"Hey, could you both keep your voices down," Drew whispered, "Not
everyone knows that the group is staying at this hotel and we would
like to keep it that way."
"Sorry, it just that I don't want any of you to think that I want you
to spend money on me. I don't like it when people think that I want
something from them just because it's a special occasion. I'd rather
have my friends just be on the day instead of giving me stuff,"
Michael said.
"Wow, you called us your friends and you don't want us to spend money
on you. Will you go out with me?" Jeff asked jokingly.
"Oh, Mr. Timmons, I do declare that you are flattering me," Michael
giggled with a bad southern accent. After the words left his mouth,
the whole table went up in a uproar.
"Michael, you are never to use that bad accent of yours again as long
as we live," Leah gasped.
"Yeah, if I ever have to hear that accent again, I'll die laughing,"
Jeff laughed.
"Okay, Mr. And Mrs. Hyena, I won't use my bad accent again," Michael grumbled.
"I happen to think the accent is cute and would love to hear him use
it whenever he wanted," Drew said. Michael was the only one who heard
it and his mind was racing at about a hundred miles an hour after Drew
had said those words. Michael couldn't help but get a picture of him
and Drew kissing under the moon light.
'What was that? Why am I imagining me kissing Drew? I just meet the
guy and I am picturing making out with him. I thought him and Leah had
something going on but he called my accent cute. Have to ask Leah
about Drew?' Michael thought to himself as his face blushed.
"Hey, Michael, your face is red. Are you okay?" Drew asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's hurry up and go to the mall," Michael said. He
didn't want anyone to know what he was thinking.
"Okay, I'm driving," Leah exclaimed. When the words left her mouth
Michael, Jeff, and Drew groaned together at the thought of Leah
driving.
"Hey, there is nothing wrong with my driving," Leah grumbled.
"Yeah, not if we were a part of a demolition derby," Jeff said
"So, I guess, that I'm not the only one who has experienced what
happens when Leah drives, huh?" Michael joked.
"Oh, I think everyone knows what you go through on a daily basis,"
Drew said while heading out the door, "You should have been there when
my brother, Leah, and I went to high school. Just remembering the day
she got her license and drove us all over the place gives me the goose
bumps."
"All right, no more making fun of my driving or I will really give all
of you a good wallop upside the head," Leah threatened. The group got
to the car and Jeff took the front seat and left the backseat for Drew
and Michael. The one thought going through both of their minds was 'Oh
shit. How am I going to be able to sit by him without trying to make
out with him?' When Michael sat down he tried his best not to get to
close to Drew, but with Leah at the wheel he knew he would be sliding
over to Drew each time. While Michael was thinking of away to not get
to close to Drew, Drew was thinking how to get close to Michael.
'If Michael knew that I wanted him, he would freak out. He barely
knows me, but maybe I can get close to him and let him get to know the
real me, then maybe he would like to go out on a date with me.' Drew
thought. 'Oh, why did Leah have to tell us all about him? Why couldn't
she keep her mouth shut for once and let me meet him and get to know
him on my own?'
"Hey, brood twins. Why don't you stop looking out in space and get out
of the car we are here," Leah said. Michael and Drew both got out of
the car and saw that they were already at the mall. The group quickly
made it to the center of the mall where Jeff and Leah decided that is
where the group should split up.
"Well, this is where Leah and I go shopping and the two of you go see
a movie or do some shopping of your own," Jeff exclaimed, "Just make
sure you two are back in about two hours, okay?"
"Yes, Dad!" Michael and Drew said.
"Okay you kids go and have fun," Leah shouted as she took Jeff's arm
and dragged him to her favorite stores.
"Well, what do you want to do?" Drew asked.
"Why don't we go see a movie then get a quick snack, then we will take
it from there. I just want to get to know each and everyone of you."
Michael said. What he didn't want Drew to know was that he really
wanted to get to know him on both inside and out.
"That sounds great to me. I want to know more about you and not what
just Leah told me but the things you haven't told her," Drew spoke
softly to Michael, "I want to be someone that you trust just as much
as Leah or more. I think all of the guys want to be just like Leah to
you." Drew placed his hand on Michael's shoulder and firmly squeezed
it. Drew wanted Michael to know that he wanted more but he would let
him make the pace that they should go. Michael's face was getting
redder by the moment.
"Thanks Drew and I want you to know that I want the same for you and
the rest of the guys too," Michael whispered, "Let's go figure out
what we want to go see," Michael stated quickly while walking to the
theater with Drew following him. Unnoticed by them, Leah and Jeff were
hidden behind a mall directory watching Drew and Michael walking to
the theater.
"So, how long do you think it will take them to figure out that they
want each other and go out on their second date?" Leah asked.
"I don't think they know they are on a date, first. Second, I say it
will take them about three days and they will want to jump each others
bones. Either it will take them awhile or it will happen real fast.
Either way, we know that they are made for each other," Jeff said
sincerely.
"Yeah, you are right. I can't wait till they get together though,"
Leah whispered, "Hey, aren't you suppose to call Nick and Jeff now?"
"Oh, yeah, you're right. Better do that now while I have a chance
before we get Michael's gift," Jeff answered while taking out his cell
phone and dialing Nick's cell number.
*****Back at the Hotel****
Nick was struggling with the fact that he had not heard from his
girlfriend Jessica in a while. Nick was missing her terribly, but with
the both of them on the road, they really didn't have a choice but to
have a long distance relationship. Also, he was wondering if Drew was
really ready to meet Leah and her friend. It had only been a couple of
months since Drew had ended their engagement. He was wondering about
all of these things, when his cell phone started to ring.
"Hello," Nick answered
"Hey, Nick. It's Jeff. Leah and I were wondering if you and Justin
were up yet and were ready to meet Michael and go shopping to get him
a gift?" Jeff asked.
"Well, I'm up and ready to go. I might have to wait on Justin to get
ready. So, give us about an hour to get ready and we will be there,"
Nick answered.
"Okay, Leah and I will be waiting in the center of the mall. Don't
worry about Michael and Drew. They are going to see a movie," Jeff
said.
"Alright, see you in an hour." Nick said.
"Bye," Jeff said before hanging up. Nick went to Justin's room and
knocked on the door before opening it.
"Hey, Justin, glad to see you are now just getting up. Hurry up and
get ready. We have to meet Jeff and Leah at the mall before Drew and
Michael get back after the movie," Nick said.
"Gotcha, Nick, and I can guess why we have to meet them so soon. We
are shopping for gifts for Michael. I guess Drew got the short straw
and had to play decoy," Justin laughed.
"Yeah, he did but I think he's glad to play decoy. Gives him a chance
to meet Michael and at least give him his side of the story. I'm sure
Leah told a whole bunch of our most embarrassing moments to him. Oh,
if she told him about the pants at the concert incident, I'm going to
kill her," Nick groaned.
"Hey, at least, she lived her life to the fullest and they got a kick
out of embarrassing us." Justin laughed, "Let's get out of here and
head to the mall."
*****two hours later*****
"Okay, whoever said that "The Village" was a scary movie was dead
wrong. It was an Amish love story. I can't believe that we wasted our
money and two hours. At least I got to get to know you better Drew,"
Michael exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know it was great to get to know the real you instead of
hearing about you. Hey, look it's my brother, Nick and Justin," Drew
exclaimed. While Drew was running to his brother and friends, Michael
could believe that Drew was engaged to Leah and broke it off. He
understood that Drew wasn't ready but Drew was leaving out something
really important and the more that he talked to Drew, Michael knew he
was falling in love with him. He just couldn't tell Drew that no
matter what though. Michael knew that Drew could have anyone and
wouldn't want him. So, he was going to keep Drew as a friend. If he
couldn't have Drew as a lover, Michael would be glad to have him as a
friend. If only he knew that Drew was planning.
Like before I really want to know what everyone thinks.
Michael aka Kaikan